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The El Centro meal engagement program provides hot meals and support to individuals in El Centro and Calexico, California.
Every Tuesday and Wednesday, a Salvation Army van from the El Centro (California) Corps makes its way to Calexico, California, a city on the U.S.-Mexico border.
There, El Centro Corps Officers Captains Fredy and Michelle Miranda, along with volunteers and a case manager, open the doors to the public, offering hot meals, prayer and essential items such as clothing, shoes and socks.
“It’s called the El Centro Meal Engagement program because our focus is on engaging with people and making our presence and resources known,” said Fredy Miranda.
The 2023 annual Point-in-Time Count (PIT) reports El Centro and Calexico have the highest concentrations of the estimated 1,300 unsheltered individuals experiencing homelessness in Imperial County.
Miranda said the location also serves as a stopping point for individuals traveling between the U.S. and Mexico for work, school, family visits or immigration.
“It’s a blessing to them because many individuals aren’t used to this type of care. We don’t just feed them; we let them know we’re here to support them.”
Vanessa Young, Case Manager
“As The Salvation Army, we meet people where they are to help address their needs,” he said. “When we arrived in El Centro in 2023, we noticed this huge need for assisting people with food and basic items.”
In July 2024, the Mirandas worked with the mayor of El Centro to plan the community outreach. They decided to serve twice a week during the lunch hour to make their presence known to locals.
They then began partnerships with the Imperial County Food Bank and local grocery stores to secure additional food, ensuring the preparation of hot and hearty meals like spaghetti, chili and tacos.
“The goal is to make it easy for people to engage and open the door to further assistance,” Miranda said.
According to Captain Michelle Miranda, the program served 20 to 30 individuals each week when it began. Now, they are seeing around 170 people attend the Meal Engagement Days each week.
She noted the program serves a range of people with diverse needs but primarily assists seniors and individuals experiencing homelessness.
“People now know they can stop by to relax, chat and share a meal,” Michelle Miranda said. “They also know they can receive prayer, spiritual guidance or connections to resources through our case manager.”
Case Manager Vanessa Young said locals now call to confirm the program will be happening each week.
“Engaging in this way is so important because people get to know us,” Young said. “We feed them but we also can lead them in the direction toward stability.”
Individuals can meet with Young for assistance in obtaining IDs or to be connected with local programs that offer job support, financial aid or housing assistance.
“We focus on helping people get on the right foot,” she said.
Young said she continues to oversee individuals’ cases as they engage with other resources, ensuring they stay on track with their goals. She noted their consistency has helped build trust between The Salvation Army and the local community.
“When we first started the program there was an individual who needed food assistance but was stand-offish and upset,” Young said. “He wasn’t interested in conversation but needed help.”
She said after seeing him week after week, he began to open up.
“His demeanor just changed,” she said. “Now he comes up, asks how we’re doing and wants to engage.”
She said he mentioned he wasn’t used to being recognized or acknowledged.
“It’s a blessing to them because many individuals aren’t used to this type of care,” she said. “We don’t just feed them; we let them know we’re here to support them.”
The Mirandas said they are exploring expanding the program to a parking area near Imperial Community College, as they have begun to see students seeking food assistance.
“There are a lot of students in our county who are using student loans or grants and don’t have the funds to eat lunch at school,” said Fredy Miranda.
Looking ahead, Miranda said the El Centro Corps is committed to meeting the evolving needs of the community.
“We’re here to engage and deliver care and hope to those that need it,” he said.
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